There are seven sacraments in the Orthodox Church, one of which is unction. In this sacrament, believers are asked for divine grace, which heals various bodily and mental ailments. It is also believed that forgotten sins are forgiven in the sacrament of unction.
The sacrament of unction is otherwise called blessing of oil. The very name of the blessing indicates that a person is blessed from a special oil (vegetable oil). Anointing a person with holy oil is the main component of the sacrament.
Most often, unction is performed in churches during fasting, but the time for the unification of the holy can be different - the performer of the sacrament (priest) himself can choose the time. Historically, the sacrament of unction was performed by seven or several priests - the conciliar service took place. Hence the name of the sacrament.
Unction begins with the usual rite - the prayer "Heavenly King", trisagion according to our Father, "Come, let us worship our King God." Then Psalm 142 is read, followed by a small litany. Sometimes the psalm and litany are shortened.
After that, certain troparia are sung, the 50th psalm is read, after which the priest reads the canon about the sick. After the canon, special stichera and troparion about the sick are performed in chorus. Then the Great Litany with special petitions for the sick, the priest's prayer for the sick, and the troparia to holy healers. Further, passages from the Holy Scriptures of the New Testament (from the Apostle and the Gospel) are read. After reading the sacred texts, the priest reads certain two prayers for the sick. It is customary to read passages from Holy Scripture at the unction seven times. After the proclamation of the texts of the Apostle and the Gospel, the anointing takes place.
After the seventh anointing by the priest, the augmented litany is pronounced, the stichera are sung, and the dismissal is performed.
It can also be noted that there is a widespread practice of performing the sacrament of unction in front of the sick person's bed. This can be at home or in the hospital. In this case, the priest can shorten the sacrament (fear for the sake of the mortal). The canon and one set of Scripture passages are read. This is followed by a one-time anointing.
